Permanent signs shall be subject to the following requirements:
(a) Wall Signs. Wall signs may be erected on any building wall or extension of a building wall which faces a street, parking lot or service drive. Wall signs shall be attached parallel to the building face and may extend outward perpendicular from the building face a maximum of fifteen (15) inches; however, an internally illuminated wall sign may be erected not more than twenty-four (24) inches from the wall surface, provided such distance is required for enclosure of the necessary electrical components. The other requirements for wall signs shall be as cited in the Sign Matrix in Section 1317.09.
(b) Canopy, Marquee and/or Awning Signs. Canopy and/or awning signs may be painted on an awning area or attached to a canopy or roof which projects beyond the building, provided that no part of such sign may extend above the eave of the roof. Canopy, awning or marquee signs shall be a minimum of nine (9) feet above ground level. The other requirements for canopy, marquee or awning signs shall be as cited in the Sign Matrix in Section 1317.09.
(c) Projecting Signs. Projecting signs shall be placed not less than nine (9) feet above the sidewalk or ground level, and project not more than eight (8) feet outward from the building face. The other requirements for projecting signs shall be as cited in the Sign Matrix in Section 1317.09.
(d) Freestanding Signs. No portion of any freestanding sign shall be erected over the street right-of-way. Not more than one (1) freestanding or ground sign shall be erected on any single lot, per one hundred (100) feet of lot frontage or fraction thereof and shall meet all other district setbacks. The other requirements for freestanding signs shall be as cited in the Sign Matrix in Section 1317.09.
(e) Ground Signs. The requirements for ground signs shall be as cited in the Sign Matrix in Section 1317.09.
(f) Permanent Window Signs. Permanent window signs shall be limited to signs denoting the identification of the occupant, the address of the premises, and not more than one (1) logo sign for each product or each service offered. The total of all permanent window signs shall be as cited in the Sign Matrix in Section 1317.09.
(g) Off-Premises Signs. Off-premises signs as defined in Section 1317.02 (b)(19), not including billboards, shall be considered as an accessory use in the zoning districts as identified in the Sign Matrix. The location of such sign(s) shall be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals. Not more than one (1) off-premises sign with a maximum sign face area as specified in the Sign Matrix is permitted on a single lot.
(h) Billboards. Billboards as defined in Section 1317.02(b)(4), shall be considered as a permitted and accessory use in the districts as specified in the Sign Matrix. Billboards shall also be allowed within the PUD District, if included in the approved development plan, subject to the approval of the Planning Commission. The erection of billboards shall comply with all federal and state requirements, as well as the following.
(1) Height. Any billboard shall maintain a maximum height of forty-five feet (45’) and not less than ten feet (10’) above ground level of the surface directly below the sign. Notwithstanding the above, if the elevation of the roadway from which the billboard is intended to be viewed (as measured at the centerline of the roadway at the point in closest proximity to the billboard) is more than fifteen feet (15’) different from the elevation of the ground level directly below the sign, then such roadway elevation shall be used for measuring the permitted height of the billboard.
(2) Area. The maximum display area for any one face of any billboard shall not exceed four hundred (400) square feet. Billboards may be back to back, double faced, “V” type and/or multiple faced with not more than two faces facing the same direction, and such structure shall be considered as one billboard, provided that the area of all faces toward one direction shall not exceed six hundred (600) square feet. In areas not adjacent to roadways on the Federal Aid Primary Highway System, billboards shall not have more than one face per structure toward each direction.
(3) Spacing. A minimum distance of five hundred feet (500') shall be maintained between billboards.
(4) Changes/Alterations. Nothing contained in this chapter shall prohibit the changing or alteration of the display surface of any billboard using mechanical, electronic or other available technology.
(i) General Requirements for Permanent Signs.
(1) Illumination. Illumination for signs shall be from a concealed or indirect light source and shall not flash, blink, fluctuate in intensity, travel, move or in any manner fail to provide constant illumination, and shall not create a hazard or visibility problem or interfere with or impair vehicular traffic. The level of illumination emitted from a sign shall not be of an intensity to constitute a safety hazard to vehicular movement on any street. Illuminated signs shall be constructed and maintained so that the source of illumination is shielded or otherwise prevented from beaming directly onto adjacent properties or streets.
(2) Construction. All signs and parts thereof, including any electrical wiring, shall be erected, constructed, and maintained so as to not constitute a safety hazard. The construction and installation of all signs shall be subject to inspection by the City and/or State of Ohio.
(3) Location in Right-of-Way Prohibited. No part of any sign shall be placed in, over, or extended onto any public right-of-way, except as specified in Section 1317.08(i)(10) herein.
(4) Pennants and/or Streamers. No permanent sign shall contain or consist of banners, streamers, pennants, ribbons, balloons or similar devices.
(5) Changeable Copy Signs. Changeable copy signs, as defined in Section 1317.02(b)(6) above, shall be permitted in the districts as specified in the Sign matrix. The number, height and area of changeable copy signs shall be determined by the structural type of the sign, i.e., freestanding, wall, projecting, etc. The light and/or perceived movement from such sign shall not be of such intensity to constitute a safety hazard to vehicular traffic.
(6) Permanent Subdivision Identification Signs. Such signs shall be limited to wall mounted or freestanding signs only, with placement on walls, columns or similar architectural or landscaped entrance features used to denote the entrance to the subdivision. Such sign shall be not more than six (6) feet in height and shall set back at least five (5) feet from the right-of-way of both streets.
(7) Joint Identification Signs. Joint identification signs shall be limited to wall or freestanding signs, and to premises where there are two (2) or more uses located on one (1) or more public street(s). If the property fronts on one (1) public street, only one (1) joint identification sign is permitted. If the property fronts on two (2) public streets, two (2) joint identification signs shall be permitted. Each joint identification sign shall not exceed the requirements of the zoning district in the Sign Matrix.
(8) Murals. Murals, as defined in Section 1317.02(b)(17) herein shall be allowed as a Special Exception in the districts as specified in the Sign Matrix, subject to approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals. In addition, if such mural(s) is located within the designated Historic District, such mural(s) shall be approved by the Historic Lancaster Commission.
(9) Maintenance and Copy Change. Signs shall be maintained in good repair. Such maintenance and repair including, changes of copy, shall be permitted provided the size and structural shape of the sign is not be changed or altered.
(10) Signs In CBD Central Business District. Not withstanding the provisions of Section 1317.03 (d) herein, a proposed sign within the CBD may extend into the right-of-way, provided the applicant demonstrates that, due to the location of the building or other physical characteristics of the lot, the erection of an alternate sign outside the right-of-way is not feasible. In addition, such applicant shall obtain a Right-Of-Way Permit from the City of Lancaster, and shall certify that such sign shall be subject to removal at the owner’s expense, if so subsequently required by the City.
(11) PUD District. Signs in the PUD District shall reflect the standards for similar uses in other districts. The applicant shall submit a total signage plan for the proposed non-residential portions of the development as part of the required site plan for the development.
(Ord. 23-18. Passed 11-26-18.)